The Downtown Dazzle Urban Homes Tour returns Saturday and this year current and prospective downtown residents should find a robust, competitive market.

“Right now, things are running well, but you can see there are a lot of incentives,” said Christina Boveri of Boveri Realty Group.

“We have a lot of great product to choose from, but a lot to fill up.”

This is the third year the housing tour has been part of the Downtown Dazzle holiday event.

Nearly 20 residential properties will be open for touring from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a self-guided, free activity, but participants are urged to pre-register on the Downtown Dazzle website.

The starting point is the VisitKC offices at 1321 Baltimore Ave. Participants will receive an Urban Homes Tour guidebook to present at each property.

Many of the developments are walking distance from the Kansas City streetcar line and attendees are encouraged to ride the rails to reach them.

Guidebook holders who visit six or more properties will be eligible to win a stay-cation package that includes a one-night stay at a guest suite at One Light Luxury Apartments and a $50 Power & Light District gift card.

Boveri’s firm has specialized in the downtown residential market for years and keeps track of market trends.
Residents of The Grand can socialize in this stylish lounge on the 21st floor.

Occupancy for some of the more high-profile developments include 80.4 percent at One Light; 79.7 percent at Two Light; 89.3 percent at the historic Power & Light Building, and 91.5 percent at Commerce Tower.

Two recently-opened developments are still in the early stage of leasing. Crossroads Westside is at 55.7 percent and The Union on the Berkley riverfront is at 42 percent. Overall, occupancy at most of the smaller developments range from 85- to 90 percent.

“Prices are high right now to me,” Boveri observed. “For good locations and amenities you’ll pay $2 per square foot. I encourage people to get out there, there’s some really nice stuff.”

She particularly likes The Grand, an apartment redevelopment that recently opened in the historic Traders National Bank Building at 1125 Grand Blvd. Boveri described it as “stunning.”